when should I expect a plateau...

tarac98

At what amount of weight lost is a "plateau" inevitable? I know everyone is different, but I have lost 23lbs and wondering when I might hit one. My weight lose is slowing...does that mean one is getting close? When did you hit yours?

ashleymcn01

Back in 2011, I lost 30lbs and plateaued at 142'ish. I've been able to maintain the weight up until the first of March 2013 when I noticed I had gained 5lbs. I joined MFP on March 6 and dropped 4lbs in 6 days. And I've been stuck at 143 for the past 9 days. I don't know what it is about me and that number, but I just can't seem to drop much lower than that. I'm eating 1200 calories a day right now, but thinking about upping that number.

I originally wanted to hit 135, but was satisfied with how I looked and felt at 142, but since I signed up with MFP I thought I would try to hit that number again. I know it hasn't been that long, but after dropping my calorie intake the way I have and increasing exercise, I thought it would start to come off faster. Maybe this is just my magic number.

Mokey41

You won't necessarily hit a plateau. Often a plateau happens because you need to change something up.

tricksee

I hit a plateau every time things were going great.

hannah_ryann

I've consistenly lost weight every week since the week of January 14th (10 weeks? I'm not good at counting) EXCEPT when it was my TOM. I attribute the lack of a plateau to using some sense when it comes to my calorie intake (1650/day) and watching my sodium (because it makes me retain water like crazy).

I honestly believe a true plateau won't occur as long as I am aware that as my body changes, I need to change the way I treat it. (When I lose 10 pounds, I need to re-evaluate my calorie intake, etc.)

thisisme13

You won't experience one if you consistantly change things up. Every now and again change the exercise you do. Exercise longer, or at a higher intensity. Change how much you are eating.

I find one of the best ways to prevent a plateau is every now and again eat at maintance for a week than drop back down. It gives your body a break.

tarac98

Thanks everyone....I am DEATHLY affraid to hit a "bump in the road", I'll take your words of wisdom to heart!

abnerner

I hit my plateau as soon as I lost 40lbs. Since then, I've gained three, lost three, gained three, lost three, gained three, lost three.......This was November.

I am trying to change things up currently to get out of it. Good luck to you!

ShannonMpls

I guess it depends on your definition of plateau. I've seen people here claim that they've plateaued because they haven't lost weight for a week or two. To me, that's not a plateau. That's normal.

I do not think true plateaus - maybe a month or more of no weight loss despite consistent calorie deficit - are inevitable. I certainly never had one. I lost 10 pounds a month pretty consistently until I purposely slowed things down, and as you can see from my ticker, I lost a lot.

ajnb88

Before I started working again, I hit mine pretty quickly. However, since starting work, I've found that I've been losing pretty well. Not quite as dramatically as before, but considering my diet has become far less strict, the fact I'm losing at all is awesome.